Panasonic AK-UC4000 Broadcast 4K Studio Camera

The Panasonic AK-UC4000 4K studio camera offers the high video quality that is only possible with a large sensor, along with extensive 4K acquisition capability, with novel functions such as HDR, BT.2020 and high-speed shooting. The camera keeps up with the diversification of systems with features such as 12G-SDI, TICO, output over SDI (4K over 3G-SDI) and MoIP, making it suitable not only for studio production, but for a wide range of jobs such as sports and events. With very high video quality and a system adaptable to various situations, the AK-UC4000 camera provides the high-end production level needed in the 4K era.

 

This camera features a newly developed large 4.4K sensor. Sampling beyond 4K is used to achieve an ultra high definition resolution of 2000 TV lines. It has UHD 12G-SDI output (x2) and TICO over SDI output (x1) included as standard. Supports 2x, 3x or 4x high speed output in HD mode at 1080p, 1080i and 720p simultaneously with the standard output (1x).

 

The newly developed 4.4K sensor achieves, in addition to ultra high definition resolution, high sensitivity, low noise and wide dynamic range. The 2/3 lens can be used without an external adapter, and the internal lens is specially designed to fit the large sensor, ensuring high video quality. This new acquisition method maximizes the efficiency of incident light.
 

Sampling beyond 4K, it achieves a resolution of 2,000 TV lines horizontally and vertically, for a detail-rich image of a wide range of subjects in a variety of scenarios. High-speed capture at 1080p, 1080i and 720p is available for sports and other active environments. This function achieves a detail-rich image even for fast-moving subjects. You can select 2x, 3x or 4x output to support multiple slow motion servers.
 

This Panasonic studio camera supports uncompressed 12G-SDI output, which is necessary in the 4K era, and allows 4K video to be transferred with a single cable. It also uses the lightweight compression technology called TICO, which allows 4K video to be sent over a 3G-SDI connection, with no loss of video quality, so that current HD infrastructure can be used in 4K systems. It is also expected to support the next generation of MoIP (Media Over IP).

 

With the AK-UCU600 camera control unit (CCU), it supports long-distance, uncompressed transmission of 4K/HD video signals over optical fiber. The AK-HRP1000GJ/1005GJ remote control panel (ROP) is equipped with a color LCD display that provides excellent visibility and functions for quick response. This system achieves high quality video and excellent operability. In cases where power is supplied by the CCU, it is possible to transmit at a distance of up to approx. 2000m between the camera and the CCU. The distance can be extended up to 10,000m by installing a local power supply at the camera head and using general purpose single-mode optical fiber. Between the CCU and the ROP, in addition to a dedicated serial line, IP connection via LAN cable is also supported.

 

The Panasonic AK-UC4000 is equipped with a new large-format 4.4K MOS sensor. Two shooting modes can be selected. In High Sense mode, an S/N ratio of 62dB or higher is possible while achieving high F10 sensitivity. The result is low noise video and high image quality.

 

The normal and low deflection readout speeds of this camera are approximately 1/2 and 1/3 that of a standard camera (1/60th of a second) respectively. The drift characteristic of MOS sensors has been reduced by reading the sensor signal at high speed. This unique technology uses communication between the lens and camera to deploy a sophisticated algorithm that will automatically compensate for registration error caused by lens chromatic aberration and minimize blur at the extremes.

 

This mode provides rich gradation to reproduce contrast, color and shadows in dark areas of the image, which previously could not be reproduced due to darkening, resulting in more realistic image quality. It supports variable HDR, adjusting the high dynamic range. In addition, it is possible to set up a system that supports simultaneous HDR/SDR, to handle production environments with both. The SDR image can be adjusted overexposed by gain offset and the knee function adjusts the bright image as well as HDR.

 

This camera supports BT.2020, a color space that can recreate almost all colors of the natural world, allowing a wider range of color expression. Smooth transition of color changes is possible.